Develop an expository analysis advancing your main assertion on the definition,
acquisition, and role of critical thinking. An expository analysis is a detailed, thoughtful,
but decided explanation of an issue.
In your essay, try to limit your discussion of critical thinking to a certain context, like in
learning, at work, while driving, while playing sports, to understand issues before voting,
in personal relationships, in understanding current events, etc. Support your ideas with
your own reasoning and examples and with evidence from at least one of the class
readings. Responsibly and accurately cite your source use in MLA citation format; refer
to examples on Canvas and OWL at Purdue.
• In the essay’s introduction, use a related and interesting attention-catching hook.
Then briefly stipulate your own explanation of what is critical thinking. Conclude
the introductory paragraph with your main assertion on the significance and
practice of critical thinking. Throughout your introduction—and the entire essay—
always consider for whom you are writing and why you are trying to tell this
audience your perspective of thinking.
• In the next section of your essay, reason in more detail the definition of critical
thinking and its importance. Consider situations—small and large—when people
use critical thinking.
• In a following section assert the ramifications for when people do and do not use
critical thinking.
• After analyzing these effects, provide exercises and demonstrations by which
people can assume more command over critical thinking.
• Briefly conclude by using a closing technique and summarizing a final take-away
point.
Support your ideas with your own reasoning and examples. Also, use supporting
evidence from only the assigned class readings. Use no evidence from outside sources.
Responsibly and accurately cite your source use in MLA citation format; refer to
examples on Canvas and OWL at Purdue.
Maintain your authority! Begin the paragraphs with your own ideas. Develop your own
reasoning and your own examples for why these are valid points. Create original
specific examples, not just from the sources. However, also integrate the data from the
sources into your discussion to back up your already asserted and established ideas.
Then analyze any data and examples to connect back to your point.
Build a logically progressive discussion of your thesis in consideration of your audience
and purpose. Use an effective tone by considering your audience’s sensibilities and
concerns and the purpose for why you are asserting your main point (thesis). Your tone
is created by what you say and how you say it.
Cite your sources in your essay and develop a works cited page at the end of your
paper using MLA source documentation format. Use formal TAGs and provide author
credentials for each source. (See Canvas and OWL at Purdue Web site for the MLA
documentation guide for citing sources—accuracy is crucial.)
Consider your tone: use an objective tone; write for the public not for yourself. Also,
avoid using second person, first person plural, slang and colloquial expressions,
contractions, and flat words so that your ideas are clear and understandable. Rely on
your knowledge of vocabulary, and use a thesaurus to exercise definitions to fit the
exact ideas that you try to convey.
